Fireproof window.



CHARLES C. HURLBUT, OF WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK.

FIREPROOF WINDOW.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1907.

Application filed March 29,1907. Serial No. 365,412.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CnARLEs C. HURLBUT, a citizen of the United States,residing at White Plains, in the county of Westchester and State of NewYork, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in FireproofWindows, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The object of the present invention is'to produce a window structure foruse in fire-proof buildings in which the sash and frame are not only ofincombustible material, but are also capable of resisting a severe firewithout change in formor loss of strength, so that the effectiveness ofthe window as a bar to the passage of the fire is limited only by thecharacter of the glass with which the window. is glazed, while the sashand frame are not injured even by a fire which quite destroys the glass,and the window, after re-glazing, is as good as before. To accomplishthis result it is necessary to combine in the window structure a degreeof strength and rigidity, and a degree of refractoriness to heat and thecombined effects of heat and water, which are not found in combinationin any available building material. The window sashes of sheet metal inhollow form which have heretofore been used have been incapable ofresisting a high degree of heat, so that it is necessary to replace themafter a severe fire, owing to warping which results therefrom.

In the present invention the desiredobject is accomplished by the use,in combination, of two materials of which one has the necessary strengthand rigidity, while the other has the necessary refractoriness, thesemate:

rials being so arranged that the refractory material protects thestructural material from the heat of a fire, while I being supported bythe latter and entirely relieved from necessary contribution to thestrength and rigidity of the structure.

I will now describe my invention as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and will thereafter point out my invention in claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a window and window frame embodying theinvention. Fig. 2 is a vertical.

section of the same on the line xx in Fig. 1. horizontal section on line33, Fig. 2.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the structural portions,i: e. the portions by which the necessary strength and rigidity aresecured, are of metal, preferably iron or steel, and ordinary structuralforms, such as channel bars, angle irons, and plates, are used. For therefractory portions molded strips of fire resisting plastic material areemployed. The invention is illustrated as embodied in a window of theordinary doublehung type, although it will be seen that the constructionis applicable (76' windows of all types or to glazed doors, skylights,etc.

Ti 10 upper sash has a lower rail of which the structural Fig. 3 isaframework consists of two angle irons seciu'ed together in such positionas to provide web-portions 1 and 2 lying in the plane of the window andserving 'to engage and support the glass and to impart the necessaryrigidity in the plane of the window, and web-portions 3 at right anglesto the former and serving to impart the necessary transverse rigidity. Anarrow plate 4 is interposed between the vertical webs of the angleirons to space them apart so as to provide a recess for the edge of theglass 5. The webs of each angle iron form a "re-entrant angle, and inthese angles are seated the strips or bodies-of refractory material 6.By this arrangement the surfaces of the angle irons are covered andprotected, while the refractory material is securely supported and isprotected from blows or strains tending to loosen it. The inner surfaceof the rail is beveled at 7 to make a close joint with the upper rail 18of the lower sash. A strip 8 of refractory material is secured to thebottom of the rail of the upper sash to complete its protection.

The construction of the upper rail of the upper sash is similar to thatof the lower rail, except that no spacing plate 4 is necessary, theangle irons being secured to a metal plate 9 which needs no protectingcovering as it is not exposed when the window is closed.

The cross-bars or muntins require less strength than i the outer rails,and they are constructed by securing together two narrow plates 11 witha narrower plate 12 between them so as to form recesses for the glass.Strips 13 of refractory material are secured to the outer surfaces ofthe plates 11.

The side rails are similarin construction to the bottom rail except thatthe spacers 4 are set in so as to provide exterior recesses between theangle irons to engage the guide strips 37 and 38 in the window frame. Noproangle irons are secured together requires no protective coveringsince it is not exposed relative to the outer side of the window whenthe latter is closed.

The sill ofthe window frame is a composite structure comprising achannel iron 21 and a body 22 of plastic material molded therein andshaped on its upper surface to properly engage the lower sash. Ashoulder on the sill engages the shoulder 16.0n the sash, and thus aclose joint is made when the window is closed. A

strip of metal 24 is fixed in the sill and forms a facing for theshoulder of the sill to protect it against wear or crumbling.

The sides of the window frame each consists of two channel irons 25 and26, of which the latter are secured to the sill by angle irons 27. Thechannel irons are connected by plates 28 riveted to their websso as toform inclosed spaces, which are divided by partitions 29 into two wellsfor the balance weights 36 of the sashes.

Jambs in the form of metal plates'31 are secured to the inner sides ofthe frame side members. These jambs are made in several sections and theuppermost sections cover openings 32 in the channel irons 25. By

removing the plates-access may be had to the inside of the frame membersto insert or remove the sash weights Pulleys 35 are mounted on the jambsand cords or metal bands 34 passing over the pulleys connect the sashesand the weights 36 in the usual manner. The

jambs are provided with vertical guide strips 37 and 38 which engagetherecesses in the side rails of the sashes and guide-them in theirmovements. To increase the security of the window as a seal against fireand water the jambs are provided with'flanges 39 which engage theoutside of the upper sash.

The head of the window frame consists of a channel iron 41 which isshown as riveted between the upper ends of the plates 28 and is providedwith a filler: plate 42 to make a flush surface with the plates 28. Aflange 43 is fixed in position to engage the outer surface of the toprail of the upper sash when the window is closed and to thus make aclose joint at this point. A sash lock 45 is fixed on the lower rail ofthe upper sash and engages a catch 46 on the top rail of the lower sash.

scans 1. A fire-proof window comprising an inner structural metallicframework for'the support of the glass, and an outer protective coveringof refractory material supported by the framework.

2. A fire-proof window comprising a metallic framework ofsingularly-disposed webs forming re-entrant angles, and refractorymaterial in said angles substantially covering the framework.

3. A tire-proof Window comprising ametallic framework having webssubstantially in the plane of the window for engaging and'supporting theglass, webs arranged perpendicular to the plane of the window to stiffenit laterally, andbodies of refractory gles hetweenthe webs. I

A fire-proof window comprising a framework con sisting of angle ironsarranged side'by side with adjacent webs substantially in the plane ofthe window and sepamaterial in the exterior an rated to form a recessfor the edge of the glass, and bodies of refractory material in theangles of the angle irons.

5. A fire-proof window comprising a framework con slsting of angle ironsarranged side by side with adjacent webs substantially lh the plane ofthe window and separated to form exterior recesses in the side rails, awindow frame provided with guide strips engaging said recesses, and arefractory covering for the framework.

In testimony-whereof I have aiilxed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

. CHARLES C. HURLBUT.

Witnesses:

BERNARD COWEN, Gnome F. Wsnran.

